Low-power multi-bay parking meter

ABSTRACT

A low power parking meter to control two or four parking bays. A display, either by a flag-wheel or a digital display will normally indicate the status of each bay. When funds are deposited without indicating the bay to be credited, the meter will escrow the amount until a bay is chosen. The meter normally operates in an idle loop unless an individual bay is being checked or vended.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO OTHER APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of application 08/281,700,filed Jul. 28, 1994, which issued on Dec. 12, 1995 as U.S. Pat. No.5,475,373 and which itself is a divisional of application Ser. No.07/864,479, filed Apr. 7, 1992, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 5,360,095on Nov. 1, 1994.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

I. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to parking meters. More particularly,the present invention relates to individual parking meters that controlmultiple parking spaces or bays.

II. Description of the Prior Art

A variety of electronic and mechanical parking meters are. well-known inthe prior art. Typical parking meters receive one or more coins to begina timing interval during which a vehicle may remain parked in anappropriate space associated with and adjacent to the parking meter.

The timing interval, or the amount of time vended by the meter to theuser, is typically determined by the number and value of the coins whichare inserted into the parking meter.

Recently, electronic parking meters have evolved for digitally,electronically vending time. Although such electronic parking metersoften have mechanical parts, the primary thrust of modern parking metertechnology is directed to solid state circuitry and apparatus forparking meters which minimizes downtime, reduces mechanicalunreliability, and provides an electronic means of accounting.

An advantage of modern electronic computerized parking meters is thatthey may be triggered externally without the use of coins. Accordingly,payment slots may be included for the use of debit cards which areincremented by the circuitry. Prepaid parking “time” represented bymagnetic information on the cards may be used to vend time.

As an example, attention is directed to U.S. Pat. No. 4,880,097, ownedby the same assignee as in this case. When such a “debit” card (i.e.normally the size of a plastic credit card) is used to purchase time, itneed be simply inserted into the parking slot or the coin slot.Alternatively, the parking card and coins may be inserted into separateslots. A purchaser may vary the amount of time purchased on the meter,either by using his debit card or by inserting required coins.

A further advantage of the electronic meters is that fewer coins need becollected and handled, since much of the meter time is purchased by thepark card. The meter then electronically stores in its memory the meteractivity thereby reducing the number of coins in the meter.

Advanced electronic meters of the type described in the '097 patentfurther simplify accounting procedures. An auditor is typically used toprogram the parking meter and/or to extract data from the parking meter,such as the activity of the meter, etc. Also, the auditor can be used toprogram and gather data from the parking meter by connecting the auditordirectly.

Older mechanical parking meters require the meter reader to manuallyempty the coins from each meter and tally them to determine meteractivity. With electronic parking meters, this may be substantiallyavoided. For example, accumulated parking time and accumulated sales maybe stored within electronic memory. Moreover, “busy” times of the daymay be computed. Electronic programming responsible for such metersallows the user to easily vary parking rates or change them whendesired.

Outdoor vending devices such as meters must be capable of withstandingthe elements. To lessen the likelihood of failures, the meters must berelatively well-protected from weather conditions.

However, known prior electronic and mechanical parking meters fail tomaximize the potential storage capacity and vending capabilities ofelectronic meters while remaining user friendly. A desirous parkingmeter would be able to store multiple parking space activity whileconcurrently vending the multiple parking spaces.

Preferably, the meter would remain relatively simple to operate andwould not require an operator to learn or acquire any new skills orprogramming expertise. Such a new parking meter would greatly increasethe efficiency of the individual parking meter while reducingmaintenance requirements, costs, accounting and verification procedures.

Ideally, this meter could record and store the activities for up to fourparking spaces, thus requiring data to be retrieved from only one meterinstead of several individual meters. Also, coins would only need to becollected from one meter.

Of course, a single multiple bay parking meter would consume less powerthan several single bay parking meters. Another requirement of anymultiple bay parking meter would be that any operator would be able toaccurately select the particular parking bay to be paid for. Such amultiple bay meter would preferably use a digital screen that wouldpermit the operator to quickly identify the desired bay. Of course, themeter should require no special skills on the part of the operator tomanipulate the meter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

My multiple bay parking meter permits a single meter to vend time toseveral parking bays concurrently. Three embodiments are illustrated.The two bay version may comprise either a digital display alone, or thedisplay may be combined with a colored indicator using a rotary displayflag-wheel. A four bay version omits the flag wheel.

The meter comprises a generally cubicle cubical, exterior metalliccasing that protectively houses the internal mechanism. The exteriorcasing also supports a removeable top. The top has a base and anintegral arched portion that circumscribes a front view port and a backview port.

The casing interior houses the meter mechanism, that comprises a supportframe, a front and a rear shell. A main circuit board is housed betweenthe front shell and the rear shell. The generally cubicle frame portionincludes a raised face portion that registers within a rectangular notchdefined in the front of the casing. The face portion thus forms aportion of the meter exterior.

Portions of the payment system project outwardly from the exterior frameface. The payment buttons associated with the selection system alsoproject outwardly from the frame face, and register with casing orificesthat are adjacent to the notch.

The payment system and selection system permit an operator toselectively vend time for a chosen parking space or bay. Typically,payment system comprises a debit card slot and/or a coin slot foracceptance of payment. The debit card slot may receive a “debit” cardthat is mechanically guided and electronically interrogated through avariety of known techniques.

An internal card reader communicates with the card slot to accept andinterrogate the card. A plug on the back of the reader extends throughthe front shell to connect to the main circuit board.

Coins inputted through the coin slot in the face drop into a chutesystem that may ultimately trigger the meter circuitry to initiate avend. A plug on the back of the chute system extends through an orificein the front shell to an appropriate connector on the main circuitboard.

The selection system permits an operator to selectively choose which ofthe parking spaces or bays vended by the meter the operator desires toutilize. The selection system comprises an external switch plate, aplurality of external switches and an internal switch board. The switchplate rigidly mounts on the frame.

The switch board comprises a front connector that mounts directly toswitch plate inside the frame. A plug projects on the opposite side ofboard. The plug extends through the front shell to the main circuitboard.

A digital display is provided by an LCD display on the main circuitboard. The meter displays the status of each bay via the LCD display. Inthe two bay embodiment, the meter uses digital indicators that may becombined with colored displays. All are visible through the top viewports. With the alternative two bay embodiment and the preferred fourbay embodiment, only digital indicators are used. On all threeembodiments, the front digital indicator may display the time remainingfor a selected bay or the status of each bay.

On the preferred two bay embodiment, a colored flag wheel indicates theimmediate status of each bay. Pie-shaped segments of the flag wheel arevisible at the meter front through two side windows located adjacenteach end of the digital indicator. The side windows reveal an immediateindication of the status of each bay indicated by the position of thecolored segments. The back of the meter on the preferred two bayembodiment shows a selected portion of the multi-colored flag wheel inadjacent portions of a viewing window. The back of the flag wheel isalso divided into several radially spaced apart, colored segments. Somesegments are colored green to indicate that time is available; othersegments are colored red to indicate that time has expired. Yellowsegments critically located between other color segments identify when ajam has occurred. The flag wheel rotates to present an appropriatecombination of segments through the meter windows for viewing from themeter exterior. In this manner service and enforcement duties aregreatly simplified.

The alternative two bay embodiment and the four bay embodiment both omitthe rotary flag wheel. Instead, these meters comprises a rear LCDdisplay that functions in cooperation with the front LCD display. Thefour bay meter accommodates four separate parking spaces.

The preferred circuitry of all embodiments is substantially the same.The circuit uses a CPU that is interfaced with the multi bay plug. TheCPU controls a stepper motor that rotates the flag wheel. The LCDdisplay is also controlled by the CPU.

The circuit accommodates the switch inputs from the external buttonsdiscussed earlier. When a button is pushed, a switch is selected by themulti bay card. The multi bay card applies voltage across an appropriateload resistor. This voltage is transmitted to a controller chip.

During vending, an operator selects the desired parking bay representedby appropriate external buttons, deposits funds and time is vendedaccordingly. Alternatively, the operator may deposit coins or insert acard prior to choosing a bay. If funds are predeposited, the meterescrows the deposited funds until a bay is chosen.

On power-up of a two bay meter, both spaces or bays will be expired withthe LCD display showing “EE” and the flag wheel, if included, willdisplay Red—Red to indicate “Expired” on the back while showing Red inthe side display windows. On power-up of the alternative two bay meter,all bays or parking spaces will be expired, with the LCD showing “EE” onthe front and rear numeric LCD's. On power-up on a four bay device, allbays or spaces will be expired with the LCD showing “EEEE” on the frontand rear numeric LCD's. At this time the meter is in the idle loopwaiting for a coin, card, or switch to be pressed.

If no switch is pressed and money is inserted, then the meter willalternately display “SEL” and “SPC” until the user selects a bay orspace. This time will continue to “escrow” until a space is selected. Ifthe user never selects a space and leaves, then the time escrowed willzero out after a specified timeout period programmed in the software.When a switch is pressed, the program will proceed to the multi bayswitch handler.

If no switch is pressed and a card is inserted, then the meter willalternate displaying “SEL” and “SPC” until a space is selected. Nodeductions from a parking card will be taken until a switch is pressedthereby selecting a bay or space.

If a switch is pressed, the meter processes the information in a multibay switch handler. The bay or space is determined from the CPU and theappropriate bay is set active. If there is time escrowed, the meter willcredit the time to an appropriate bay or space. The LCD display isupdated to the correct amount of time purchased and the optional two-bayflag wheel is moved to the correct position. The meter sets the space asactive for a specified time interval after the last coin is insertedshowing the time purchased in that bay. After a short time interval, themeter returns to the idle loop. The updated idle loop display for vendedtime is an “—” for each vended bay.

Thus a primary object of the present invention is to provide a low powerparking meter for use in multi bay installation.

Another object is to provide a multi bay parking meter of the characterdescribed which avoids the use of external power, and minimizes theconsumption of internal battery or capacitor stored charge.

A fundamental object is to monitor and control several parking spaces atonce with a single meter.

Another important object is to provide a reliable, easy-to-use parkingmulti bay meter that is user friendly.

A related object is to provide a low power, multi bay parking meter ofthe character described that does not absolutely require userinstructions to be inputted in a single sequence. It is an importantfeature of the meters described herein that the customer may first makea bay selection and then provide payment, or he may make payment firstand then make a bay selection.

Another object of the invention is to provide a unique display techniquewherein a plurality of parking spaces or bays can be monitored from asingle meter.

A basic object is to provide a multi-bay parking meter for vending timefor a plurality of parking spaces that accepts payment in the form ofcoins or cards.

A related object is to provide a display of the status of multipleparking bays without touching the parking meter.

Another object is to provide an electronic multi bay parking meter ofthe character described which avoids computer menu scrolling. It is afeature of our multiple bay meter designs that separate switches areprovided for each bay that may be selected to minimize scrolling andenhance a user's chances to intuitively operate the meter.

A similar object is to provide a multi-bay parking meter with a computercontrol program that enables operators to quickly and easily discern howto operate the device.

Another object is to escrow money that is put in properly, so that oncea financial input is made, the purchaser has a chance to select theproper bay to which the money should be applied.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a low powermulti bay parking meter of the character described that allows theselection of space without programming skills.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention, alongwith features of novelty appurtenant thereto, will appear or becomeapparent in the course of the following descriptive sections.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following drawings, which form a part of the specification andwhich are to be construed in conjunction therewith, and in which likereference numerals have been employed throughout wherever possible toindicate like parts in the various views:

FIG. 1 is a front isometric view of a two bay embodiment of our multiplebay parking meter that includes a rotary flag wheel;

FIG. 2 is a rear isometric view of the parking meter of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front isometric view of an alternative embodiment of a twobay parking meter that omits the flag wheel;

FIG. 4 is a rear isometric view of the parking meter of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a front isometric view of a four bay parking meter;

FIG. 6 is a rear isometric view of the parking meter of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an exploded isometric view of the meter shown in FIGS. 1 and2, with portions omitted for clarity;

FIG. 8 is an exploded isometric view of the meter shown in FIGS. 3 and4, with portions omitted for clarity;

FIG. 9 is an exploded isometric view of the four-bay meter shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, with portions omitted for clarity;

FIG. 10 is a front elevational view showing the two bay parking meter ofFIGS. 1, 2 and 7 with the front display showing time available in bay“A” and time expired in bay “B;”

FIG. 11 is a rear elevational views of the meter shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a greatly enlarged, front elevational view of the displayshown in FIG. 10, showing the front digital indicator and the side colorindicators that display the status of both bays;

FIG. 13 is a greatly enlarged, rear elevational view of the displayshown in FIG. 11, showing the rear color indicators that display thestatus of both bays concurrently with the front display of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a greatly enlarged, front elevational view of the displaysimilar to FIG. 12, showing the front digital indicator and the sidecolor indicators that display the status of both bays, immediately aftera bay-select switch has been depressed;

FIG. 15 is a greatly enlarged, rear elevational view of the displaysimilar to FIG. 13, showing the rear color indicators that display thestatus of both bays concurrently with the front display of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a greatly enlarged, front elevational view of the displaysimilar to FIG. 12 indicating the time remaining for selected bay “A”;

FIG. 17 is a greatly enlarged, rear elevational view of the displayshowing the rear color indicators that display the status of both baysconcurrently with the front display of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a greatly enlarged, front elevational view of the displaysimilar to FIG. 12, showing the front digital indicator and the sidecolor indicators that display the status of both bays, indicating thatthe vended time has expired for both bays “A” and “B;”

FIG. 19 is a greatly enlarged, rear elevational view showing the rearcolor indicators that display the status of both bays concurrently withthe front display of FIG. 18 and indicating that the vended time hasexpired for both bays;

FIG. 20 is an elevational view of the front of the rotary flag wheelindicator with the display segments lined for color;

FIG. 21 is an elevational view of the rear of the flag wheel indicatorwith the display segments lined for color;

FIG. 22 is an electronic schematic diagram of the preferred main circuitboard assembly circuitry;

FIG. 23 is an electronic schematic diagram of the preferred bay switchboard circuitry;

FIG. 24 is a flow diagram of the software routine for the parking meter;and,

FIG. 25 is a flow diagram of the software routine for the switchhandler.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The apparatus to be hereinafter described in most advantageouslyemployed in conjunction with parking meters. However, the teachings ofthe present invention relate to vending machines in general, andparticularly to those vending machines which include electroniccircuitry for monitoring vends, sales, time increments, accumulatedsales, and the like.

The present invention is ideally adapted for modern electronic parkingmeters, such as the meter of U.S. Pat. No. 4,823,928 owned by the sameassignee as in this case. For disclosure purposes the latter referenceis incorporated by reference herein.

In the various Figures three embodiments are illustrated. The two bayversion may comprise either a digital display alone, or the display maybe combined with a colored indicator using a rotary display flag-wheelto be hereinafter described. A four bay version omits the flag wheel.Most of the interior components, such as those seen in FIGS. 1-2, arecommon to all embodiments.

Two Bay Meter with Combined Color and Digital Display

An initial embodiment of our improved multiple bay parking meter hasbeen generally designated by the reference numeral 40. Meter 40 isespecially adapted for two bay operation (i.e., it handles two parkingspaces). Preferably meter 40 comprises a generally cubicle, exteriormetallic casing 45 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 7) that protectively houses theinternal mechanism 57 to be discussed hereinafter. Casing 45 supports aremovable top 50 having a base portion 51. The removable rate plate 55fits over base 51. An integral arched portion 53 circumscribes a frontview port 52 and a back view port 54. Preferably, both ports usesee-through, shatterproof glass so that an operator can view thedisplays housed therein. As is well recognized in the art, the casing isnormally fastened to a suitable stanchion in use, disposed adjacent theparking space or spaces to be rented.

The casing interior houses the meter mechanism 57, that comprises asupport frame portion 62, a front shell 64 and a rear shell 66. A maincircuit board 65 is housed between the front shell 64 and the rear shell66. Front shell 64 includes a number of clearance orifices asillustrated. The CPU PROM socket 61 on the circuit board 65 may beaccessed through access orifice 67 in front shell 64. A removable PROMaccess plug 73 is normally fitted to orifice 67.

The generally cubicle support frame portion 62 includes a raised faceportion 63 (FIG. 7) that registers within a rectangular notch 47 definedin the front of casing 45. The face portion thus forms a portion of themeter exterior. Portions of the payment system 70 project outwardly fromface 63. The payment buttons associated with selection system 80 projectoutwardly from face 63, and register with orifices 81A, 82A in casing 45adjacent notch 47.

Payment system 70 and selection system 80 penetrate frame 62 to permitan operator to selectively vend time for a chosen parking space or bay.Typically, payment system 70 comprises a debit card slot 72 and/or acoin slot 74 for acceptance of payment. Slot 72 may receive a “debit”card that is mechanically guided and electronically interrogated througha variety of known techniques. An internal card reader 76 communicateswith slot 72 to accept and interrogate the card. A plug 69 on the backof card reader 76 extends through an orifice 69B in front shell 64 toconnector 69A on circuit board 65. Typical card receptor mechanisms forreceiving debit cards and communicating with their integrated circuitand logic is seen in one or more of the following U.S. patents, issuedto Alcatel CIT, Paris, France: U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,900,272, 4,900,273,5,012,078, and 5,051,566.

Electronic parking meters that accept payment cards to vend parking timeare thus well-known in the art. Specifically, prior U.S. Pat. Nos.4,823,928 and 5,360,095, owned by the same assignee as in this caserelate to parking meters that accept payment cards. For disclosurepurposes, the latter references are hereby incorporated by referenceherein.

Coin acceptance is discussed in detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,823,928 and4,895,238 owned by the same assignee as in this case, and which areincorporated by reference herein. Payment coins inputted through coinslot 74 in face 63 drop into a chute system 78 that may ultimatelytrigger the meter circuitry to initiate a vend. Chute system 78 isassembled proximate the interior of support frame 62. Coin input region75 is positioned adjacent slot coin input slot 74 in assembly. The topof region 75 is positioned beneath coin-drop access slot 77 in frame 62.A coin chute access plate 83 removably covers slot 77. An electricalplug 71 on the back of coin chute system 78 extends through clearanceorifice 79 in front shell 63 to connection plug 79A projecting fromcircuit board 65. Digital readings are provided by LCD display 91 onboard 65.

Selection system 80 permits an operator to selectively choose which ofthe parking spaces or bays vended by the meter the operator desires toutilize. The selection system 80 comprises an external switch plate 82,a plurality of external switches and an internal switch board 90. Theswitch plate 82 rigidly mounts on frame 62 (FIGS. 1-6), and it haseither two or four clearance orifices (i.e., orifices 81A and 82A) toaccommodate the push-button bay select switches (i.e., 84A and 84B) tobe hereinafter described. Switch board 90 comprises a front connector 92that mounts directly to switch plate 82 inside frame 62. A plug 94projects on the opposite side of board 90. Plug 94 extends throughorifice 93 in front shell 63 to board 65 via plug 95.

Meter 40 displays the status of each bay using either colored indicatorsor digital indicators that are visible through top 50. With thepreferred two bay embodiment, colored indicators and digital indicatorsare both used (see FIGS. 10-19). With the alternative two bay embodimentand the preferred four bay embodiment, only digital indicators are used.On all three embodiments, the front digital indicator 100 may displaythe time remaining for a selected bay or the status of each bay.

On the preferred two bay embodiment, a colored rotary wheel 101indicates the immediate status of each bay. A selected pie-shapedportion of wheel 101 is visible through two side windows 102, 104,located adjacent each end of digital indicator 100, provide an immediateindication of the status of each bay. The back of meter 40 on thepreferred two bay embodiment uses a rear window 105. On the preferredtwo bay embodiment, the rear window 105 has right and left sides 106,108 (FIG. 2) to show a selected portion of multi-colored flag wheel 101.

As best seen in FIG. 20, the front of the flag wheel is preferablydivided into eight radially spaced apart, pie-shaped segments, 110-117.Pie-shaped segments 110, 112 and 114 are colored green to indicate thatpaid-for time is unexpired for a particular parking bay. Segments 111,113 and 115 are colored red to indicate that time is expired. Segments116 and 117 are colored yellow to indicate that the meter is jammed orotherwise requires service. The flag wheel 101 is rotated to present anappropriate combination of segments 110-117 through front windows 102 or104 for viewing from the meter exterior.

The rear of the flag wheel is divided into radially spaced apart, pieshaped segments 119, 121, 123 and 125 that are concurrently displayedthrough the rear window 105. Segments 119 and 121 on the rear face ofthe flag wheel 101 are colored red to indicate time expiration. Segment125 is green. Segment 123 is yellow, and represents that the meter needsservice. The colored sold-out display on the front of the meter is seenin FIGS. 12, 14, 16 and 18. The smaller colored wheel segments 113, 114are necessary since the windows 102 and 104 in the meter front arespaced apart. The rear viewing windows are adjacent one another (FIG.11) so less colored segments on the flag wheel rear face are necessary.

The latter colored segments are presented to the viewing windows byappropriate rotation of the flag wheel 101 to the position seen in FIG.19. FIGS. 13, 15 and 17 indicate other rear display possibilities. FIG.18 indicates the display achieved when time has expired with bothparking spaces; colored flag wheel segments are behind windows 102 and104. When time has been purchased for space A, as in FIGS. 16-17, butnot for space B, the wheel rotates to show green in window 102, whilewindow 104 may still be red. When time for space B is vended, wheel 110rotates to color window 104 red. When time is purchased for both slots,then red segments are placed behind windows 102 and 104. The rear windowsides 106 and 108 are colored concurrently by matching color segmentsthat rotate with wheel 110 at the meter rear. The yellow segments of thewheel 101 are displayed when the computer senses a jammed condition, orthe unit otherwise requires service.

Two Bay Meter with Digital Display

Meter 40B (FIGS. 3, 4, and 8) is largely the same as meter 40 discussedabove. However, it omits the flag wheel 101, and the front and rearviewing windows discussed earlier. However, as seen in FIG. 4, meter 40Bcomprises a rear digital display 109 that functions in cooperation withdisplay 100 on the front. The color display window indicators 102, 104,106 and 108 discussed previously are not used. A rear digital indicator109 that is identical to the front digital indicator 100 is usedinstead. Modified rear shell 66C (FIG. 8) includes a display viewingorifice 98 for mounting window glass 99.

Four Bay Meter with Digital Display

Meter 40C (FIGS. 5, 6, and 9) is largely, insofar as digital displaytechniques, the same as two-bay meter 40B discussed above. However,four-bay meter 40C accommodates four separate parking spaces. Like meter40B, it omits the flag wheel 101 and the front and rear viewing windows102, 104, and 105 discussed earlier. However, four space selectionbuttons 84A-84D are employed on payment system 60 (FIG. 9). Thesebuttons register rearwardly through orifices 83E in frame 62B and engagewith support plate 90A. The push button faces project exteriorlyoutwardly of the meter through the orifices 82E in the modified plate82C (FIG. 9). Modified rear shell 66B includes a display viewing orifice98 for mounting window glass 99. Meter 40C comprises a rear digitaldisplay 109 that functions in cooperation with display 100 on its front.

Preferred Circuitry

The preferred circuitry of all embodiments of the present inventioncomprises a modification of that seen in prior U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,823,928and 5,360,095, owned by the same assignee as in this case. Both relateto parking meters that employ the low power solid state circuitry. Fordisclosure purposes, the latter references are incorporated by referenceherein.

With reference to FIG. 22, circuit 400 is largely borrowed from theabove referenced patents. CPU 402 is interfaced with the multi bay plug79A though lines 404. The flag wheel 101 is driven by a stepper motorcontrolled by lines 403. Lines 403 interconnect with the CPU 402 vialines 404. The display driver 409 is driven through lines 410 leading tothe CPU. The front LCD display, used with all models, is designated bythe reference numeral 413. The rear LCD display, that is used on allunits that omit the flag wheel 101 has been designated with thereference numeral 414.

Circuit 450 (FIG. 23) accommodates the switch inputs such as switches84A-84D discussed earlier. Lines 452 generally correspond to the plugconnection 79A referenced earlier that plugs into the multi-bay plugdetail seen in the left portion of FIG. 22. Switch 401 is provided toenable the circuit 400 to be quickly switched between conventionalsingle bay units and the herein described multi-bay systems. Themechanical switches 84A-84D correspond generally to the push buttonswitches 460-463 shown schematically. When a switch 460-463 is selected,it applies voltage across its load resistor 466-469 respectively. Thisvoltage is transmitted to eight-bit encoder chip 470 via one of thelines 472.

Encoder chip 470 outputs via resistors 474-476 to driver transistors478-480 respectively. The collector output of driver transistor 478appearing on line 482 delivers an interrupt request to the CPU to warnthat a meter selection is following. The interrupt signal indicatesthat, in a multi bay environment, one of a plurality of bays hasreceived attention. For example, this may occur when a customer insertscoins or payment and activates the switches to select a bay. Once line482 drops when transistor 478 is turned on, the logic state of lines 483and 484 are queried to determine what parking bay is effected. If bothlines 483 and 484 remain high, (i.e., logical 00) bay “A” has beenselected. If line 483 drops in voltage (i.e., corresponding to a logical01), then bay “B” is involved. Bay “C” receives attention if line 484drops. If both lines 483 and 484 drop, corresponding to a logical 11,then bay “D” (i.e., the fourth parking space) is involved. In eachinstance the CPU will be directed to account for transactions and toassociate them with a particular bay, and the displays and the financialaccounting will be tied to a given parking space.

Preferred Software

The main routine 500 is seen in FIG. 24. An idle loop 502 executesduring periods of inactivity. At this time the apparatus is waiting fora coin, a debit card, or a bay switch input. Activity occurs when eithera coin is inserted (step 504), a payment card is inserted (step 506), ora bay selection button is first pushed, indicated by step 508. When abay selection switch is pressed, switch handler routine 510 to bedescribed later is executed. Afterwards a return to idle loop 502 occursas indicated by line 509.

If a coin was first inserted, as indicated by step 504, the LCD displaywill alternately flash “Sel” and then “Spc” to prompt the customer tochoose a space by pressing the appropriate selection button.Concurrently, the dollar amount of coinage inserted will be “remembered”or escrowed as in step 511 until a parking spot is selected through theswitch handler routine 510 is indicated by lines 512 and 513. If aswitch is pressed, the switch handler routine 510 is executed, andafterwards a return to the idle loop 502 occurs as indicated by line509.

If a payment card was first inserted, as indicated by step 506, thedisplay will flash “Sel” and then “Spc” to prompt the customer to choosea space. Concurrently, the card transaction amount is escrowed in step514. Then as indicated by lines 516 and 513, the routine waits for theswitch handler step 510. If a switch is activated, the switch handlerroutine 510 is executed, and afterwards a return to the idle loop 502occurs.

The switch pressed step 508 occurs in response to customer activation ofone of the push button switches 84A-84D. The switch handler step 510follows.

The switch handling routine 510 looks for the selection of a particularbay in step 550. Decision step 552 waits for the input of money or acard for a preselected time, and if no value is inputted, it executesstep 554 to return that space to inactive status, and returns to theidle loop with step 556, so that the apparatus may again go idle.

If credit in escrow is found in step 552 within the time limits, thecorrect space is made active in step 558. Time is vended to theappropriate space in step 560, and the amount of time remaining isupdated on the display in step 562. Flag wheel instructions aregenerated in step 564, and a return to idle mode is made in step 566.

Operation

Normally, the meter functions in the “idle loop” mode to conserve power.During the “idle loop”, the digital front indicator on all embodimentsshows either a “-” for each bay for which time remains and an “E” foreach bay for which no time remains. Additionally, on the preferred twobay embodiment, the side indicators 102, 104 show green if time remainsor red if time has expired. The rear window sides 106, 108 on the twobay embodiment correspondingly show green or red.

The preferred four bay embodiment uses front and rear indicators 100,109. Since the meter displays the status of each bay during the “idleloop”, a patrol person can easily identify which bays have timeremaining and act appropriately. Upon selection switch depression, themeter displays the time remaining for the selected bay. After apredetermined display period, the meter automatically returns to an“idle loop” to conserve power.

During vending, an operator selects the desired parking bay representedby switches 84A-84D, deposits funds and time is vended accordingly.Alternatively, the operator may deposit coins or insert a card prior tochoosing a bay. If funds are predeposited, the meter escrows thedeposited funds until a bay is chosen.

On power-up of a two bay meter, both spaces or bays will be expired withthe LCD display showing “EE” (FIG. 18) and the flag wheel, if included,will display Red to indicate “Expired” on the back while showing Red—Redin the frontal display windows (FIGS. 18, 19). On power-up, all bays orparking spaces will be expired, with the LCD showing “EE” on the frontand rear numeric LCD's (FIG. 18). On power-up on a four bay device, allbays or spaces will be expired with the LCD showing “EEEE” on the frontand rear numeric LCD's. At this time the meter is in the idle loop(i.e., step 502 in FIG. 24) waiting for a coin, card, or switch to bepressed.

If no switch is pressed and money is inserted then the meter willalternately display “SEL” and “SPC” until the user selects a bay orspace. This time will continue to “escrow” until a space is selected. Ifthe user never selects a space and leaves, then the time escrowed willzero out after a specified time out period programmed in the software.When a switch is pressed then the meter will proceed to the switchhandler.

If no switch is pressed and a card is inserted then the meter willalternate displaying “SEL” and “SPC” until a space is selected. Nodeductions from a parking card will be taken until a switch is pressedthereby selecting a bay or space.

If a switch is pressed, the meter processes the information in the multibay switch handler. The bay or space is determined from the CPU and theappropriate bay is set active. If there is time escrowed, the meter willcredit the time to an appropriate bay or space thereby updating the LCDdisplay to the correct amount of time purchased and moving the optionaltwo-bay flag wheel to the correct position indicated by the tablesbelow. The meter sets the space as active for a specified time intervalafter the last coin is inserted showing the time purchased in that bay.After the time interval, the meter updates the display.

TABLE 1 TWO BAY FLAG WHEEL DISPLAY METER CON- FLAG WHEEL FLAG WHEEL LCDDITION FRONT REAR DISPLAY Expired Red-Red Red E E A timing, Green-RedRed-Green — E B expired A expired, Red-Green Green-Red E — B timing Atiming, Green-Green Green-Green — — B timing A active Not updated Notupdated Shows time on Space A B active Not updated Not updated Showstime on Space B

TABLE 2 FOUR-BAY DIGITAL DISPLAY METER CONDITION LCD DISPLAY Expired E EE E A timing, B expired, C expired, D expired — E E E A expired, Btiming, C expired, D expired E — E E A timing, B timing, C expired, Dexpired — — E E A expired, B expired, C timing, D expired E E — E Atiming, B expired, C timing, D expired — E — E A expired, B timing, Ctiming, D expired E — — E A timing, B timing, C timing, D expired — — —E A expired, B expired, C expired, D timing E E E — A timing, B timing,C expired, D timing — — E — A expired, B expired, C timing, D timing E E— — A timing, B expired, C timing, D timing — E — — A expired, B timing,C timing, D timing E — — — A timing, B timing, C timing, D timing — — —— A active Shows time an Space A B active Shows time on Space B C activeShows time on Space C D active Shows time on Space D

From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one welladapted to obtain all the ends and objects herein set forth, togetherwith other advantages which are inherent to the structure.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are ofutility and may be employed without reference to other features andsubcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of theclaims.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention withoutdeparting from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matterherein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to beinterpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. A multi-bay parking meter comprising: a rigidcasing adapted to be disposed adjacent at least one parking space forwhich time is to be vended for housing components of said meter; atleast one payment slot in said casing for accepting payment for saidtime; a plurality of space selection buttons for enabling a customer tochoose a particular parking space, at least one button for each space; adigital display for prompting a customer and indicating the status ofparking spaces; circuitry connected to place said meter in a low-powerconsumption mode when not vending time; a circuit for creditingcustomers with payments and associating particular payments withparticular parking spaces, said circuit activating said display foralerting a customer of his selection.
 2. The multi-bay parking meter asdefined in claim 1 wherein said circuit comprises an encoder formonitoring selected parking spaces, said encoder comprising circuitry topresent an interrupt signal indicating that one of a plurality ofparking spaces has received attention; and, to identify which one of aplurality of parking spaces has been selected by a customer.
 3. Amulti-bay parking meter, comprising: a rigid casing adapted to bedisposed adjacent at least one parking space for which time is to bevended for housing components of said meter; at least one payment slotin said casing for accepting payment for said time; a plurality of spaceselection buttons for enabling a customer to choose a particular parkingspace, at least one button for each space; a digital display forprompting a customer indicating the status of parking spaces: circuitryconnected to place said meter in a low-power consumption mode when notvending time; a circuit for crediting customers with payments andassociating particular payments with particular parking spaces, saidcircuit activating said display for alerting a customer of hisselection; wherein said meter accommodates two parking spaces andcomprises a flag wheel for separately indicating the sold-out status ofboth parking spaces independently of and concurrently with said digitaldisplay wherein said flag wheel comprises a rotary wheel comprisingmultiple colored segments that provide a sold-out indication at both thefront and the rear of said meter.
 4. A method of operating a multi-bayparking meter comprising the steps of: providing a rigid casing adaptedto disposed adjacent at least one parking space for which time is to bevended for housing components of said meter; providing at least onepayment slot means in said casing for accepting payment for said time;providing a plurality of space selection buttons for enabling a customerto choose a particular parking space, at least one button for eachspace; digitally displaying and indicating the status of parking spaces;digitally prompting a customer; and crediting customers with paymentsand associating particular payments with particular parking spaces:placing said meter in a low-power consumption mode when not vendingtime.
 5. The method as defined in claim 4 including the step ofseparately indicating the sold-out status of parking spacesindependently of and concurrently with said digital display step.
 6. Themethod as defined in claim 5 wherein said step of separately indicatingincludes the step of rotating a rotary wheel comprising a front andback, said front and back comprising multiple colored segments thatprovide a sold-out indication at both the front and the rear of saidmeter.
 7. The method as defined in claim 6 including the step ofmonitoring selected parking spaces, said monitoring step including thesteps of: presenting an interrupt signal indicating that one of aplurality of parking spaces has received attention; and, identifyingwhich one of a plurality of parking spaces has been selected by acustomer.
 8. The method as defined in claim 7 wherein said monitoringstep comprises the steps of: establishing an idle loop for waiting for acoin, a debit card, or a parking switch input; if a coin or payment cardis inserted, displaying a “Select Space” prompt to urge the customer tochoose a space by pressing an appropriate selection parking spaceselection button; concurrently escrowing the dollar amount of paymentinserted into said meter until a parking space is selected; and,crediting the customer with his purchase after a parking space isselected.
 9. The method as defined in claim 8 including the step ofestablishing a switch handler routine, said switch handler routinecomprising the steps of: determining the selection of a particularparking space; deciding whether coins or a payment card is inserted intosaid meter within a preselected time, and if no coins or payment card isinputted within said time, returning that space to inactive status. 10.The method as defined in claim 9 wherein said switch handler routinefurther comprises the steps of: making the selected space active if anyof the following events is determined within said time limit: an escrowamount is present, coins are inserted, or a debit card is inserted;vending the time to the appropriate selected parking space; updating thedisplay to indicate the selected parking space and the purchased timeremaining.
 11. The method as defined in claim 10 wherein said displaystep comprises the steps of providing information according to thefollowing table, where A and B are the parking spaces for which themeter is vending time, “timing” and “expired” refer respectively towhether vended time remains for the cited parking spot or not, “red” and“green” are respective ones of said multiple colored segments, and thecondition shown in the left-hand column causes the displays shown in theother three columns to be displayed on said front of said rotary wheel,said rear of said rotary wheel, and a digital display respectively:METER CON- FLAG WHEEL FLAG WHEEL [LCD] DITION FRONT REAR DISPLAY ExpiredRed-Red Red E E A timing, Green-Red Red-Green — E B expired A expired,Red-Green Green-Red E — B timing A timing, Green-Green Green-Green — — Btiming, A active Not updated Not updated Shows time on space A B activeNot updated Not updated Shows time on Space B


12. The method as defined in claim 10 wherein said display stepcomprises the steps of providing information according to the followingtable, where A, B, C, and D refer to the parking spaces for which themeter is vending time, “timing” and “expired” refer respectively towhether vended time remains for the cited parking spot or not, and thecondition shown in the left-hand column causes the displays shown in theother column to be digitally displayed: METER CONDITION [LCD] DISPLAYExpired E E E E A timing, B expired, C expired, D expired — E E E Aexpired, B timing, C expired, D expired E — E E A timing, B timing, Cexpired, D expired — — E E A expired, B expired, C timing, D expired E E— E A timing, B expired, C timing, D expired — E — E A expired, Btiming, C timing, D expired E — — E A timing, B timing, C timing, Dexpired — — — E A expired, B expired, C expired, D timing E E E — [Atiming, B timing, C expired, D timing — — E E] A timing, B expired, Cexpired, D timing — E E — A expired, B timing, C expired, D timing E — E— A timing, B timing, C expired, D timing — — E — A expired, B expired,C timing, D timing E E — — A timing, B expired, C timing, D timing — E —— A expired, B timing, C timing, D timing E — — — A timing, B timing, Ctiming, D timing — — — — A active Shows time on Space A B active Showstime on Space B C active Shows time on Space C D active Shows time onSpace D


13. A multibay parking meter, comprising: a rigid housing adapted to bemounted adjacent two or more parking spaces, said rigid housingcomprising: at least one opening in said housing through which paymentmay be inserted; and a plurality of buttons which indicate which of saidtwo or more parking spaces is selected; first detection circuitry tosend an interrupt signal when one of said plurality of buttons ispushed; second detection circuitry to send an interrupt signal whenpayment is received through said at least one opening; paymentcircuitry, connected to said first and second detection circuitry, toaccept payment through said at least one opening, to mark a selectedparking space as active, and to credit said selected parking space withthe payment; idle circuitry, connected to said first and seconddetection circuitry and to said payment circuitry, to place at leastsaid payment circuitry in an idle loop, which consumes less power,whenever an interrupt signal has not been received in a specified timeperiod.
 14. The multibay parking meter of claim 13, wherein said atleast one opening comprises a slot to receive coins.
 15. The multibayparking meter of claim 13, wherein said at least one opening comprises aslot to receive a payment card.
 16. The multibay parking meter of claim13, further comprising a display to continuously indicate the status ofeach space for which time may be vended.
 17. The multibay parking meterof claim 13, further comprising a digital display to indicate, when aspace has been selected, the time remaining for the selected space, andto indicate, at other times, the status (active or expired) of each ofthe spaces for which time may be vended.
 18. A method of operating amultibay parking meter, comprising: providing selection circuitry toreceive a selection input specifying a parking space to which time is tobe vended; providing payment circuitry to receive a payment input fortime to be vended; maintaining said multibay parking meter in a normalmode when said selection circuitry or said payment circuitry hasreceived a respective input within a predetermined time; and maintainingsaid multibay parking meter in a low-power mode at all other times. 19.The method of operating a multibay parking meter of claim 18, whereinsaid payment input is coins.
 20. The method of operating a multibayparking meter of claim 18, wherein said payment input is a debit card.21. A multi-bay parking meter comprising: a casing adapted to bedisposed adjacent to at least one parking space for which time is to bevended; a plurality of space selection switches, wherein a separatespace selection switch corresponds to each parking space; and circuitryenclosed in said casing and connected to receive information from saidspace selection switches and from a payment detection apparatus, and todrive a display accordingly; wherein said circuitry has both an activemode and a low-power mode.
 22. The parking meter of claim 21, whereinsaid casing is of metal.
 23. The parking meter of claim 21, wherein saidspace selection switches are buttons.
 24. The parking meter of claim 21,wherein said payment detection apparatus detects the insertion of coins.25. A method of operating a multibay parking meter, comprising the stepsof: (a.) recognizing the selection of a parking space from a pluralityof switches which each correspond to a respective parking space; (b.)recognizing the receipt of payment for time to be vended; (c.) operatingsaid multibay parking meter in a normal mode or a low power mode in atleast partial dependence on the occurrence of steps (a.) and (b.). 26.The method of claim 25, wherein said step (a.) comprises recognizingthat a button corresponding to a parking space has been pushed.
 27. Themethod of claim 25, wherein said step (b.) comprises recognizing that adebit card has been inserted into a slot in said multibay parking meterand accepting payment from said debit card.
 28. The method of claim 25,wherein said step (b.) comprises recognizing that a coin has beeninserted into a slot in said multibay parking meter.
 29. The method ofclaim 25, wherein said step (c.) comprises maintaining said multibayparking meter in a low-power mode unless an interrupt signal, whichindicates that step (a.) or step (b.) has occurred, has been receivedwithin a predetermined time period.